HABIT 5
A friend of mine was always highly supportive and encouraging when I endeavored on my journey to better health. But of course I’d expect her to be - she’d been a veggie munching, yoga-practicing pioneer of simplicity for years. But as soon as she started singing the praises of strange-sounds foods like kimchi, sauerkraut, kombucha and kefir, I couldn’t help but raise my eyebrows and pass these things off as ‘crunchy’ foods. That is, until I experienced the benefits for myself.
As you might already know about me from my Healthy Gut Solution book, I’d been suffering from digestive issues that I just couldn’t shake off for years - whether it was bloating, indigestion, diarrhea, trapped wind or cramps, you could guarantee that I’d suffer from something. I’d tried all kinds of things over the years, from peppermint capsules, to teas to wheat bags and all kinds of other things. But it was only when I cleaned up my diet and incorporated these fermented foods that I really noticed a difference.
So what are fermented foods and how can they help?
Fermentation is a traditional way of preserving foods without the need for vacuum packs, canning or using silly amounts of chemical preservatives.
The process works by using yeast or bacteria, which converts the sugars present into alcohol. The result is a food that is easier to digest, higher in vital vitamins and omega-3’s, and also high in digestive enzymes. It also increases the amount of healthy bacteria in your gut, which improves your digestion, eases symptoms of IBS, acne, arthritis, depression and even chronic migraine. You’d be foolish not to include some in your diet.
Why not try some kimchi, sauerkraut, kombucha or kefir and see which one you love the best? You can make them all very inexpensively at home without the need to visit the health food store, making it budget friendly as well as health- friendly.
Take a look at my Healthy Gut Solution book if you’d like further information on gut health and how to improve it.